News
The world’s top service oriented Spa’s revealed: Maldives wins again
Maldives Promotion House – The annual announcement of the World Luxury Spa Awards winners marks the highlight of a year-long search for the very best spas on the global front. Maldives offers number of world class spas and spas from Maldives were among the winners at this year’s awards.
- One&Only Spa by ESPA Reethi Rah Best Luxury Wellness Spa – World
- Talise Spa at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi Best Luxury Emerging Spa – Indian Ocean
- Coco Spa Maldives Best Luxury Fitness Spa – Indian Ocean
- Araamu Spa Maldives Best Luxury Wellness Spa – Indian Ocean
- One&Only Spa by ESPA Reethi Rah Best Luxury Beauty Spa – Indian Ocean
- Six Senses Spa Laamu, Maldives Best Luxury Emerging Spa – Maldives
- Six Senses Spa Laamu, Maldives Best Luxury Destination Spa – Maldives
- Six Senses Spa Laamu, Maldives Best Luxury Resort Spa – Maldives
- Angsana Spa Velavaru Maldives Best Luxury Beauty Spa – Maldives
The World Luxury Spa Awards commends and recognise outstanding achievements in service excellence, giving thanks to spas that have excelled. The World Luxury Spa Awards programme reward those spas that have raised the bar of service excellence within a highly competitive industry over the past year. The World Luxury Spa Awards congratulate unsurpassed service excellence and put the spotlight on those spas representing only the finest standards.
The categories awarded in the 2013 World Luxury Spa Awards included Best Luxury Hotel Spa, Best Luxury Mineral Spring Spa, Best Luxury Safari Spa, Best Luxury Emerging Spa, Best Luxury Fitness Spa, Best Luxury Destination Spa, Best Luxury Wellness Spa, Best Luxury Resort Spa, Best Luxury Spa Group, Best Luxury Day Spa, Best Luxury Beauty Spa, Best Luxury Boutique Spa and Best Luxury Medical Spa.
“2012 has been a very interesting year for the spa industry, with many new spa additions and the level of competition where exceptional evident from the calibre of spas being nominated,” says Marinique de Wet, Executive Manager of the World Luxury Spa Awards. “We’ve never received so many nomination entries like we did this year, and it has been a truly thrilling experience to see who eventually came out on top!”
Open to luxury spas in the respective categories, the World Luxury Spa Awards™ are recognized and respected on the global front by the public and media at large and are universally acknowledged as the world’s leading awards initiative for luxury spas. France24 is the proud media partner to the World Luxury Spa Awards.
The winners and finalists were selected by means of an annual voting process where thousands of spa guests worldwide have been given the opportunity to vote online in order to have the fairest judging process possible. Competing spas in 2013 included small sized privately owned spas to globally renowned spa groups.
Official voting closed on the 18th of March and the response and comments from voters were phenomenal. Thousands of votes & feedback came in from across the globe and as a result key brands and independent spas were rewarded for their extraordinary efforts. Award winning spas are announced on a country, continent and global basis.They stood up to the highest expectations and where tested by discerning spa-goers looking for the ultimate experience where only the absolute best is acceptable.
Marinique de Wet, Executive Manager, World Luxury Spa Awards™ said: “The World Luxury Spa Awards™ is the highest accolade a spa can ever hope to receive. For participants the World Luxury Spa Awards™ challenge service excellence and highlight the importance of constant improvement. The Award truly puts the Award winning spas ahead of their peers from a marketing perspective. In addition to the honour, prestige and global exposure of winning a World Luxury Spa Award, winners share in fantastic marketing benefits including online profiles and marketing guides that further build staff moral and maintain credibility.
“Consumers are increasingly using the list of winners and finalists as a reliable guide and means of reassurance when choosing their next spa destination evident from increasing visits to the Awards website”, says de Wet.
“In these tough economic times our spas and wellness retreats have shown their anticipation to succeed and have come out even stronger than before. The World Luxury Spa Awards are there to recognise the very best of the best and raise the bar of service excellence even higher than before”, says Mrs Marinique de Wet. “We are delighted that the Spa Awards has become such an important highlight on the spa industry calendar and we are looking forward to an exciting 2014 registration year ahead”.
Recipients of this prestigious accolade see challenges as opportunities and stay ahead with strategic changes allowing facilities and service to stay on par with global trends. We congratulate all our winners further to this outstanding achievement.”
News
Hulhule Island Hotel marks World Coconut Day with culture and cuisine
Hulhule Island Hotel celebrated World Coconut Day with a lively programmes highlighting the coconut’s deep cultural significance, versatility and enduring place in Maldivian life.
Guests were welcomed with beautifully woven coconut-leaf creations, including traditional birds and other handcrafted pieces. Throughout the day, an assortment of coconut-based specialities and delicacies was served, offering guests an authentic taste of this treasured island ingredient.
The celebrations also featured a dedicated cultural display showcasing traditional practices associated with the coconut palm. Guests had the opportunity to discover how different parts of the coconut and its tree have long been transformed into food, household items, decorative crafts and other useful products within Maldivian communities.
Adding a spirited and interactive element to the occasion, team members participated in a coconut mocktail-making competition, presenting creative and refreshing beverages inspired by tropical flavors. A traditional coconut-scraping competition brought further excitement, celebrating a familiar skill that remains an important part of Maldivian culinary heritage.
The day concluded with a special dinner buffet featuring an extensive selection of coconut-inspired specialties and delicacies, thoughtfully prepared for guests to enjoy.
Through the celebration, Hulhule Island Hotel offered guests an engaging glimpse into Maldivian culture while recognizing the coconut palm as one of the country’s most cherished and versatile natural treasures.
News
Kuda Villingili marks Golden Week with Dragon Buffet, hot pot and family activities
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives will celebrate Chinese Golden Week from 1–8 October 2026 with an eight-day programme of festive dining, cultural activities and family experiences. Coinciding with China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, the programme brings touches of Chinese tradition to the island while giving families time and space to reconnect in the Maldives.
At the heart of the celebrations is a series of specially curated dining experiences. On 3 October, The Restaurant will host a Dragon Buffet, bringing together Chinese dishes, live entertainment and a festive evening designed for families to enjoy together. Throughout the week, guests can also experience the resort’s signature Chinese Roast Duck and interactive Hot Pot Experience at East, alongside oceanfront Teppanyaki at Mar-Umi. Special Golden Week cocktails and mocktails will complement the celebrations across selected dining venues.

For younger guests, Kuda Fiyo Kids Club will host a dedicated eight-day programme inspired by the season. Through creative workshops, cultural activities, games and culinary experiences, children can discover elements of Chinese tradition while enjoying the outdoor adventures and island experiences that are part of life at Kuda Villingili.
“Golden Week is a special time for families to come together, and we wanted to create a celebration that feels both familiar and distinctly Maldivian. From shared dining experiences and cultural activities to simply having time together by the ocean, our programme is designed to allow families to celebrate traditions while creating new memories at Kuda Villingili,” said Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives.

Beyond the scheduled celebrations, families can make the most of the resort’s wide range of experiences. Days can be spent around the 150-metre pool, exploring the lagoon through watersports, surfing at the nearby Chickens Break, or enjoying tennis, padel, pickleball and other recreational activities. For those seeking a slower pace, the resort’s private-island spa offers a peaceful retreat, while the beach and ocean provide plenty of space to simply spend time together.
Kuda Villingili’s collection of 75 private pool villas and residences offers a choice of spacious accommodation for couples, families and larger multi-generational groups seeking a luxury holiday in the Maldives. The resort’s diverse dining collection gives guests the flexibility to enjoy familiar favourites alongside new culinary experiences throughout their stay.
Guests can discover Chinese and Asian favourites at East, gather around the interactive Wan Suk Hot Pot, experience Japanese-Peruvian cuisine and Teppanyaki at Mar-Umi, or opt for a private destination dining experience on the beach. Together with the resort’s wider international dining selection, the variety allows families and groups to experience something different throughout their Golden Week holiday.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili is a five-star luxury resort in the Maldives offering private villas, family experiences, diverse dining and island activities.
This Golden Week, Kuda Villingili invites families to celebrate familiar traditions in a different setting — sharing meals, discovering new experiences and, above all, making time for one another.
View Kuda Villingili’s Golden Week Programme 2026 here. For more information and reservations, visit www.kudavillingili.com or contact reservations@kudavillingili.com
Awards
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa named Best Beach Villa, Culinary Resort at TTM Awards 2026
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa has been recognised with two TTM Awards 2026, receiving Best Beach Villa Resort 2026 and Best Culinary Resort 2026. The recognition highlights two important parts of the Kuredhivaru experience, from its beachfront villas and natural surroundings to its diverse culinary offering.
The TTM Awards 2026, organised by Travel Trade Maldives, recognise outstanding resorts and tourism businesses across the Maldives. The awards celebrate excellence across categories including villas, dining, wellness and guest experiences, bringing together recognition from the Maldives travel and hospitality industry.

The Best Culinary Resort 2026 award recognises the variety and care behind Kuredhivaru’s dining experiences. Across the resort, guests can explore different cuisines, flavours and settings, from fresh seafood and Japanese-inspired dishes to international favourites, wine pairings and personalised destination dining.

Each dining experience has its own character, with a focus on quality ingredients and considered menus. Together, they make food an important part of the Kuredhivaru stay and offer guests different ways to experience the flavours of the Maldives and beyond.

The Best Beach Villa Resort 2026 recognition reflects Kuredhivaru’s approach to creating private and comfortable beachfront stays. Set along the white-sand shores of Noonu Atoll, the resort’s beach villas offer private pools, direct access to the beach and views across the IndianOcean. The experience brings together space, privacy and the natural beauty of the island, supported by attentive service. Set along the white-sand shores of Noonu Atoll, the villas offer direct beach access and private pools, bringing the natural beauty of the island into everyday resort living.
The latest recognition builds on Kuredhivaru’s previous TTM achievements, including Best Culinary Resort 2024 and Best Beach Resort 2023, reflecting the continued work of the teams across the resort.

Together, Best Culinary Resort 2026 and Best Beach Villa Resort 2026 capture two defining sides of Kuredhivaru: dining that turns every meal into part of the island experience, and beachfront villas that put the Indian Ocean at the heart of the stay. It is a proud recognition of the team behind both, and of the guests and travel partners who continue to choose Kuredhivaru.
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